Results 1,841-1,860 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: That is the reason we are not prepared to go down the route taken in the Labour Party legislation. Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are not pursuing a neo-liberal agenda, as Deputy Healy has suggested.

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: This Government has created the largest number of jobs of any Administration in the history of the State. It has significantly improved living standards which now far outstrip those of five or ten years ago.

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: These are the facts.

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: We have an obligation, a right and a commitment to maintain living standards. Deputy Boyle should note that the Director of Corporate Enforcement makes a determination on complaints made about the fitness to practise of any director under the law. As regards the review of company law, the issues raised can be considered in the context of legislation due next year. I note the Green Party has...

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is wonderful and enlightening to see the party extolling the virtues of co-operation across the European agenda.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Kildare Resource Centres for the Unemployed in Leixlip, Athy and Newbridge are currently funded by FÁS through the community employment programme. The Leixlip Resource Centre for the unemployed community employment project recommenced its activities on 3 October 2005, for a further 12 month period and has been approved to employ 15 participants and a supervisor. The funding allocated for...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together. The company in question has issued notice of temporary lay-off to 19 temporary employees in order to reduce costs until trading conditions improve. The company has informed the agency that it is awaiting word over the next few weeks on a number of potential contracts which, should the company win them, would require the reinstatement of...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together. Current policy is that generally new work permits are issued only in respect of highly skilled and-or highly paid positions. I am aware that within the European Economic Area there are communities from the main ethnic groups who are active in the restaurant and catering sector and, as a result, suitable employees are available to fill...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Under the decentralisation programme it is intended to relocate approximately 300 of my Department's posts to new offices in Carlow. It is anticipated that these posts will be relocated by autumn 2008. To date, a total of 259 first preferences for posts in Carlow have been recorded on the central applications facility. The business units of the Department that are relocating to Carlow are as...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The details supplied indicate that this person's work authorisation expired in October 2004. As a general rule, in order to obtain a work visa or work authorisation, a person must meet certain criteria including the offer of a job and a third level qualification from a recognised third level institution in respect of certain specified professions. Work authorisations and visas are issued...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The spouse of a non-European Economic Area national working legally in the State, including the spouses of care assistants, must obtain an employment permit in order to take up employment in the State.

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (29 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The current Department of Finance Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure requires that a cost benefit analysis should be carried out in respect of projects with a value of over €50 million. My Department was not directly involved in carrying out capital projects of this magnitude within the last six months. Within my Department's agencies, an IDA Ireland project...

Written Answers — Disposal of Property: Disposal of Property (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas for the attraction of foreign direct investment to the State and its regions. While I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts, IDA Ireland is the agency charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment to this country, its regions and its areas, with the exception of the Shannon free zone which is the responsibility of Shannon Development. The latter is also responsible for providing industrial property solutions in the four towns cited in the question to assist IDA in...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I can comment only on that part of the question relating to my remit. The Government facilitates the creation of an environment attractive to businesses and business creation. Government policies in this regard have helped propel economic growth and employment expansion and these have encouraged deeper and stronger links to both international and enlarging EU markets. Clearly, having an open...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together. I understand from the Industrial Development Authority, IDA, that planning permission was granted on 5 April 2001 for a 20,000 sq. ft. factory at Lisfannon, Fahan, County Donegal. The planning permission and plans are available to any potential client who wishes to commence construction and to facilitate an early start up of a project....

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my Second Stage speech on the Employment Permits Bill 2005 on 12 October when I gave the House a detailed account of the present and proposed employment permit arrangements. Under the present system a work permit is granted to an employer to recruit a specific employee to fill a specific vacancy where the employer has been unable to find a suitable employee within the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 185, inclusive, together. The national climate change strategy, NCCS, published in 2000, sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, which is to limit growth in greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 commitment period. In respect of the industry, commercial and services sector, the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (30 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The company in question has announced that it intends to close its Sligo operation by the end of 2006. I understand that the company has commenced a staff consultation process and the outcome of this process will be a phased transfer of the operation outside of Ireland in 2006. The company expects to make all 120 employees in Sligo redundant. I understand that it is the company's intention to...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (1 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The main purpose of the community employment programme operated by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market. On 10 November 2004, following a review of FÁS employment schemes such as community employment, job initiative and social...